By Susan Ferrechio
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said today he is “disappointed” in Senate Majority Leader Harry...
Sen. Tim Scott, the U.S. Senate’s only black lawmaker, said Friday he is “disappointed” in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s “offensive” comments about race made during a call-in radio show in Nevada.
Reid, a Democrat, said Friday he “seriously” hopes that Republicans are not blocking President Obama’s initiatives because he is black.
Reid was responding to a caller who asked him if he believes Republicans are working to make President Obama a failure, which some Republicans had signaled they would do when he was first elected.
The Nevada Democrat pointed to comments made in 2010 by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in which he said his goal was to make sure Obama was a one-term president.
“They haven’t changed much,” Reid confided to the caller. “It’s been obvious they are doing everything they can to make him fail.”
Reid paused, then added, “I say this seriously. I hope it’s based on substance, and not the fact that he is African American.”
Shortly after the talk show ended. Scott, R-S.C., issued a response:
“I am sincerely disappointed by continued attempts to divide the American people by playing to the lowest common denominator. Instead of engaging in serious debate about the failed policies of this administration – from the ever-increasing burdens created by the national health care reform plan to the tax-and-spend approach to economic recovery, along with countless others – Democrats are once again trying to hide behind a smokescreen.
"Our country deserves more from those in Washington. I hope Senator Reid will realize the offensive nature of his remarks and apologize to those who disagree with the president’s policies because of one thing – they are hurting hard-working American families.”
